Best quality CD ripper?

[Pace]

I believe it's something called Direct Audio Copy or something? I'm not worried about DAE speed - is this better quality?

And I take it that LAME is the best encoder (for MP3s that is)?

TIA,

Paul.

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[Paddy]

I think DAC is by Creative (I have it knocking about somewhere)

I use Audiograbber though, although its the freeware version which only rips 1/2 the tracks at once...

[Electric Amish]

http://www.cdex.n3.net/

This is what I've been using.

amish

[This message has been edited by Electric Amish (edited 03 January 2001).]

[Pace]

Thanks guys - I'm about to try CDex.

[Paddy]

Is LAME better than BLADE?

[Pace]

I think it is - but only the newer versions.

I see CDex has an option for the encoder as LAME v1.05 (engine 3.58) - is this good (and is it built in?)

Also, what is J-stereo?

And what is VBR0-10 - I know VBR but are these specific filesizes or something?

Paul.

[Liquid Snake]

I believe you're referring to EAC (Exact Audio Copy). Yes, many agree LAME is the best. Here's a site with a lot of good info: http://www.r3mix.net/

[Pace]

Thanks - that was what I was referring to, though I think I prefer CDex!

So, Amish - what do the VBR0-10 give - I see the file sizes do vary (I tried both extremes - and saw about a tripling in file size).

Paul.

[Jammrock]

If you own a Sound Blaster type card you can download Play Center 2, which rips CD's. I haven't played with the CD ripper yet, but the MP3 audio CODEC they use is top notch. SOunds noticably better than WinAmp on my Klipsch's.

Jammrock

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Athlon 650
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40 GB storage from WD
Matrox G400 (it's not dead yet!)
SB Live! the original full retail, still going strong
Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400, the PC speakers that goes BOOM!
Hope Matrox releases the G800 before rebuild time, becuase the end is near!

[Rags]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Winamp now use the same codec as playcenter? Also way earlier versions of Winamp use a similar codec, but I think sound better, just a higher cpu consumption.

Rags

[Pace]

btw, is CDDB equal on everything? I ask because I used WMP7 to get the CD info and it got the wrong CD (same artist but wrong album) - was this just a glitch in the database or did WMP7 get it wrong?

Paul.

[Electric Amish]

Sorry, Pace. I don't know any of the details. All I know is that I put a CD in, choose a track to burn, the program burns it, and I listen to it.

amish

[Liquid Snake]

I don't completely rely on CDDB. Most of the time, the titles are right, but sometimes not. Just fix them. As for Winamp, Nitrane was introduced with Winamp 2.0. They switched to the Fraunhofer decoder in 2.22. They switched back to Nitrane later.

[DentyCracker]

EAC is said to be the best ripper. The best encoders are those that use the Fraunhofer mp3 codec to encode (MP3 Producer Pro etc) The best decoder is audioEnlightenment 4 (the mp3 decoder used in sonique)

[Wombat]

I don't really like Fraunhauffer most of the time. And the best decoder to my ear is the one used by mpg123 and xmms.